Game



y 7, 0- A. J. JONES 2,199,461

GAME

Filed Oct. 27, 1939 427/10,? J /o/vz's,

Patented May 7, 1940 UNITED. STATES PATENT" GAME Arthur J. Jones, Indianapolis, Ind. Application October 27, msspserialno. 301.522

This invention relates to a game and has for a primary object the provision of a structure to play a ball game in which the skill of an operator is required for effective results. The objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent in the following description of one particular form of the invention as illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation in partial view of a device employing the invention;

Fig. 2, a top plan view of the base on a slightly enlarged scale;

Fig. 3, a detail in side elevation of the attachment of the ball restraining cord;

Fig. 4, a detail in top plan view of that attachment;

Fig. 5, a side elevation of one form of bat employed, and

Fig. 6, a modified form of bat.

Like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views in the drawing.

I form a base III, herein shown as in the nature of a block. The exact conformation of this block is immaterialbut it should be so made that it will remain stationary on the floor or ground or may be buried in the ground. Entering from the top face of the block I is a generally conical cavity I I tapering from a large opening at the top to a smaller bearing surface at the inner'lower end. In the form herein shown,.this cavity II is convoluted as indicated in Fig. 2 so as to provide ridges I2 spaced around the cavity between intervening depressions, the lower end of these depressions tapering out to the central lower bearing surface.

A pole I3 is provided to have its lower end entered in the cavity I I to have its lower end rest on the bearing surface at the lower end of the cavity. The pole I3 is preferably longer than the height of the average person and will be free to rock in the cavity II over to some extreme position as indicated by the dash lines in Fig. 1, which position is limited by the pole striking the side of the cavity II.

To the upper end of this pole I3 is attached a rope or cable I4 of any suitable material, preferably flexible. The exact nature of the attachment of the rope I3 tothe pole I4 is immaterial provided the attachment forms a swivel connection so that the rope I4 is free to travel around the pole I3 without winding up thereon. While the usual swivel may be employed, the form herein shown is workable. As indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, the upper end of the pole I3 may be notched 3 Claims. (01. 273 -95) and the rope I4 looped around that notch. 'The rope I4 is thus connected with the pole but is free to turn therearound and is prevented from slipping longitudinally of the pole.

On the outer end of the rope I 4 is carried a ball I5. This ball I5 may be made out of any material desired such as rubber or may even be the usual construction of a baseball. The exact construction of the connection between the rope and the ball I5 is immaterial although it must be quite durable to stand up under the action imparted to it during the playing of the game. In the form herein shown; the ball has a loop lBsecured to it, through which the rope I4 passes to make the connection. As indicated however, the exact form of securing of the rope I4 to the ball I5 does not enter into my invention.

In playing the game, one person will stand near the block l0 and grasp the pole I3 and start swinging it around to have its upper end describe a small circle while the lower end remains seated in the block III. The idea is to start the ball I5 swinging around the pole I3 with the rope I4 in fully extended position swiveling around the pole I3 without wrapping around it. A number of players will be stationed outside of the path of the ball I5 and each of these players will be equipped with a bat such asis shown in Fig. 5. Each of these players will take turns in trying to strike the ball l5 with the bat but the person operating the pole I3 will use his skill to divert the ball II: from its true circular path by rocking the pole I3 laterally to jerk the ball over as is indicated in Fig. 1. The pole I3 however is limited in this movement so as to prevent the ball I5 from striking a person on the opposite side of the ring formed by the players around the must always be brought back to swing the ball 1 around its circular path by swinging the pole I3 within the circle described within the ridges I2. A variation of this game may be had by each player employing a bat of the type shown in Fig. 6 in which case the bat is provided with a hole I1 slightly larger than the ball I5. The player attempts to get the ball I5 through this hole I1.

In any event, the rules of the game may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention particularly in the number of strikes each player may make before he is out and so forth.

and carrying the ball on its outer end, said base hole being formed to receive said pole with a loose fit topermit a wobble motion to be imparted to said pole. g

2. In a game, a base having a hole therein of appreciable depth, a pole entering the hole to be rockably supported therein, a ball and a cord swivelly connected to the upper end of the pole and carrying the ball on its outer end, said hole being generally of an inverted conical shape to have a lower bearing surface for the .end of said pole, the depth of said hole being sufiicient to support the pole when leaning against a side thereof.

3. In a game, a base having a hole therein of appreciable depth, a pole entering the hole to be rockably supported therein, a ball and a cord swivelly connected to the upper end of the pole and carrying the ball on its outer end, said hole being generally of an inverted conical shape to have a lower bearing surface for the end of said pole, the depth of said hole being sufficient to support the pole when leaning against a side thereof, the side wall of said hole being provided with outwardly extending pockets to receive the pole therein.

ARTHUR J. JONES. 

